Bush’s fault!
Stem cell group gets its first building block
$43 million is seed for research center
SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
May 8, 2008
The fundraising has only just begun.
The San Diego Consortium for Regenerative Medicine yesterday received a $43 million grant from the state stem cell institute to help build a research center in Torrey Pines where the region’s scientists will attempt to unlock the mysteries of stem cells and treat disease.
While the consortium members were thrilled to receive the grant, it will cost $115 million to build the research center. During the next several months, the consortium will be looking for other sources of grants, philanthropic gifts and loans to raise the additional $72 million.
The consortium, which includes University of California San Diego, the Burnham Institute for Medical Research, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and The Scripps Research Institute, had asked for $50 million.
The group was one of 12 that were awarded $271 million in construction funding yesterday by the stem cell institute’s board.